Sheets of stemless golden flowers open on a moss-like cushion on this potential show-winner that resembles some of the cushion androsaces. One of the most lovely alpines, this rare, choice, diminutive and very desirable mat-forming plant is found across North America where it grows above 9000ft, although it was first discovered in the Wind River range of Wyoming in the 1870's. Very few seeds collected. ... Learn More

Polished, needle-like foliage and disproportionately-large, brilliant silvery blue, "dragonhead", helmet-shaped flowers, each highlighted with a light blue lip, appear for a very long time from late May to August. This is a long-lived perennial that forms dark green mounds with distinctive foliage, rather reminiscent of a penstemon, with which it could easily be confused. Completely deciduous in winter, it is remarkably drought tolerant, and is also suitable for containers, rock gardens or perennial borders. ... Learn More

Showy, pale pink male flowers and modest white female flowers appear on dark red shoots in spring on this attractive and very striking evergreen shrub. In a well-drained spot it is remarkably hardy. ... Learn More

This lovely plant bears nodding, cream buds which open into slightly paler ivory flowers on woody stems, the foliage consisting of tiny, leathery leaves with a grey reverse. Finally, the large impressive fuzzy ball of a seed head opens. ... Learn More

This elegant fern has robust foliage and is able to withstand a sunnier site and drier soil than most hardy ferns. In mild locations the foliage may remain standing all winter, but elsewhere it dies down, but is happiest in a cool, shady, sheltered humus-rich situation. More tolerant of sun than many other types of ferns, it is also a good choice for border plantings. It was originally thought to be the partner of lady fern, and like all ferns, this prehistoric plant does not produce flowers, reproducing via spores produced beneath the fronds. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it the Award of Garden Merit (AGM). ... Learn More

Whatever next! Can you believe a strawberry with yellow flowers. And this is the rare variegated-leaved form. Attractive red berries (edible, although pippy, but loved by birds) and very similar to alpine strawberries, are produced all summer, on a creeping evergreen carpet. Perfect hanging over a wall or rockery, or as an attractive slowly creeping ground cover. ... Learn More

Can you believe a strawberry with yellow flowers. Attractive red berries (edible, although pippy, but loved by birds) and very similar to alpine strawberries, are produced all summer, on a creeping evergreen carpet. This is the more-vigorous form of the variegated form and is perfect hanging over a wall or on a rockery, where it will stifle all low-lying weeds. ... Learn More

One of the most beautiful of the clumping/clustering palms, this is a beautiful specimen for smaller gardens and can be used as a smaller dramatic palm in a larger garden design also, and even in a large container. Native to montane forest throughout Madagascar, it is mostly admired for its prominently ringed multiple trunks which rtesemble tyhick sugar canes. It performs best in a sheltered, shaded site, however it will certainly take full sun as well. While it closely resembles the popular Golden Cane Palm (Dypsis lutescens), this one is more tolerant of cool conditions and light frosts, and will grow well in warm temperate to tropical conditions. ... Learn More

Its name alone is a mouthful. But it is definitely NOT edible. However, your curious friends will have quite a shock when they touch the small plum-shaped fruits on the amazing and aptly named "Squirting-Cucumber". Yellow flowers on radiating stems produce intriguing hanging fruits. Unwary inspection triggers the incredible seed distribution method. The swollen fruit breaks off and shoots downwards (remember Newton's Laws of Reaction) propelled by a high speed jet of seeds and water which shoots upwards. Ouch! Absolutely amazing, and never fails to impress. A relative of the edible cucumbers, but under NO CIRCUMSTANCES eat it. Very few seeds collected as they disappear all over the place! ... Learn More

A vigorous scrambler, perfect for covering an evergreen shrub, with dazzling, pillar-box red, tubular flowers, produced freely from June to October in multi-flowered trusses. Makes a hardy overwintering tuber, but flowers first year from seed. ... Learn More

The pure orange form of this exotic-looking climber, with wiry stems and sparse, dark, evergreen foliage which acts as a perfect backdrop to its bright orange, tubular flowers. The plants are hardy in mild regions, dying down in winter and reappearing larger and stronger the following year. In very mild, sheltered areas the foliage may remain all winter. Good winter drainage may be the key! So an ideal plant to grow up through the base of a tree. ... Learn More

A vigorous scrambler, perfect for covering an evergreen shrub, with red, orange or yellow tubular flowers, produced freely from June to October in multi-flowered trusses. Makes a hardy overwintering tuber, but flowers first year from seed. ... Learn More

The pale-flowered trumpets of the "Chilean Glory Vine" are perfect for a darker corner where other climbers will sulk. The plants are not hardy but in mild regions they may survive – dying down in winter and reappearing larger and stronger the following year. In very mild, sheltered areas the foliage may remain all winter. Otherwise they should be treated as annuals. ... Learn More

Very large reddish-purple flowers with pronounced golden-brown cone-centres are produced from July until mid-autumn. Ideal for cutting, these plants will perform best on well-prepared humus-rich soil. (aka 'Ruby Star') ... Learn More

This Echinacea is an upright, clump-forming, herbaceous perennial with narrowly ovate, toothed, rough-hairy, dark green leaves. It is tough and beautiful with unbeatable heat and drought tolerance, whilst attracting a variety of wildlife with its eye-catching appeal. The elegant daisy like flowers have rosy pink petals with an orange centre that rises like a cone. An excellent cut flower and also good for drying. ... Learn More